Curious logo

Dear Curious Readers, No new content will be published for the next few months due to website changes.

 
Image depicting A Full Moon of Wisdom: Celebrating Buddha Purnima

A Full Moon of Wisdom: Celebrating Buddha Purnima

 

Recommended for Buddha Purnima

The moon, round and radiant, casts its glow upon a world bathed in serenity. It’s a night unlike any other, for today is Buddha Purnima – a time to honor the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the wise sage who would become the Buddha, the Awakened One.

A Date Written in Starlight

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, doesn’t follow the rigid rules of our Gregorian calendars. Instead, it gracefully dances with the lunar cycle, appearing on the full moon day of Vaisakh (typically in April or May). Each year, this celestial occasion shifts, a gentle reminder of the impermanence that Buddha himself taught.

More Than Just a Birthday

In the heartlands of South and Southeast Asia, Buddha Purnima intertwines with the vibrant Vesak festival. It’s a triple celebration, marking not only the Buddha’s birth but also his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and his final passing into Nirvana. For Buddhists, the Vesak full moon day holds profound significance, a time to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and their own spiritual journeys.

A Kaleidoscope of Observances

How do we celebrate this luminous day? The answer is as diverse as the people who follow Buddha’s path.

  • Temples Aglow: Devotees flock to temples, their hearts filled with reverence. Candles flicker, incense perfumes the air, and prayers rise like whispers towards the heavens.
  • Words of Wisdom: Sermons echo through the halls, retelling the Buddha’s life story and unraveling the threads of his teachings – compassion, kindness, and the quest for inner peace.
  • A Sea of White: White, a symbol of purity, adorns the streets as people come together in unity. They share “kheer,” a sweet milk porridge, a tribute to the maiden Sujata, who offered nourishment to the Buddha after his long fast.

A Timeless Message

The teachings of the Buddha, born over 2,500 years ago, continue to resonate in our modern world. They offer solace to the weary soul, guidance to the lost, and hope to the disheartened. Buddhism isn’t bound by rituals or rigid beliefs; it’s a philosophy of life, open to all who seek compassion, kindness, and respect for every living being.

So, as the full moon graces the night sky on Buddha Purnima, let us take a moment to pause and reflect. Let us celebrate the life of a man who sought truth beyond the confines of palaces and luxury. And let us embrace the timeless wisdom he shared, illuminating a path towards a more compassionate, peaceful world.

Related Stories

Watch a video

Here is a video on the Buddha’s life:

Image depicting Curious Times Logo

Curious Times is a leading newspaper and website for kids. We publish daily global news aligned to your learning levels (also as per NEP 2020): Foundational, Preparatory (Primary), Middle and Senior. So, check out the News tab for this. We bring kids’ favourite Curious Times Weekly newspaper every weekend with top news, feature stories and kids’ contributions. Also, check out daily JokesPokeTongue TwistersWord of the Day and Quote of the Day, kids need it all the time.

Curious Times News Program for Schools for FREE. Over 5,000 schools and teachers from all over the world have joined our programme so that students and teachers can get FREE Educative Newspaper. Here, kids can take part in world events and win prizes and certificates for free through their schools.

Moreover, schools are sharing important School News, like interviews with the principal, notices about new students, contests, and results, not just on social media but also on a news website for kids and other schools.

Thus, do not wait any further, sign-up for your school for FREE. 

The following social media platforms allow you to communicate with us: WhatsAppInstagramFacebook, YoutubeTwitter, and LinkedIn.

  (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)

Share your comment!

To post your comment Login/Signup